History, analysis, and unabashed gossip about the start of the American Revolution in Massachusetts.

J. L. BELL is a Massachusetts writer who specializes in (among other things) the start of the American Revolution in and around Boston. He is particularly interested in the experiences of children in 1765-75. He has published scholarly papers and popular articles for both children and adults. He was consultant for an episode of History Detectives, and contributed to a display at Minute Man National Historic Park.

That press release refers to the commemoration as “one of the largest moving historical reenactments in the U.S.” I think that refers to how the event starts at the Old South Meetinghouse and then goes through the nighttime streets to the waterfront for the second act. A logistical challenge for the organizers, to be sure.

This year the museum has a new feature:

NEW IN 2017: Inviting one and all to send loose tea to be thrown into Boston Harbor as part of this year's reenactment.

London’s East India Company will provide over 220 pounds of “Expired Loose Tea” to be thrown into the harbor. The original event involved, as Charles Bahne documented here, 92,616 pounds of tea. So even if we’re looking at dumping only one ship’s worth, we’ve got a way to go before matching the original total.

That said, I have a problem with this form of promotion. Sending loose tea in to this event would leave one with less tea. I’m struggling to find a way around that problem. Maybe I could get rid of that fake-aristocratic bergamot-doused stuff.